What a game. Despite obviously not ending the way that Atlanta Falcons fans anticipated. A heartbreaking loss like Sunday’s puts things into perspective and will truly test the resiliency of this football team. There are several crucial moments and decisions that inevitably decided this game and now it’s time to discuss.

COACHING

All things considered, the coaching efforts of Dan Quinn and his staff fell flat and didn’t give Atlanta the best chance to win. This isn’t to say that this crew is bad, or they need replacement, but they were outcoached in this game. The call to go for a two point conversion on two consecutive touchdown drives were pivotal in the defeat of Atlanta. Although hindsight is 20/20, these decisions definitely didn’t help out the team. Along with these conversion attempts, the drive after Kansas City’s lone turnover ended up scoreless after a failed fourth down conversion. These decisions represent about five points that were left off the board for the Atlanta Falcons and that’s inexcusable in a big game with such implications.

DEFENSE

Another week gone by, another team scoring on their first possession against the Falcons. Atlanta seems to predicate themselves on halftime adjustments and stopping the opponent down the stretch. However, it doesn’t seem to matter when they give up so many yards and points in the first half of games. Kansas City continued to dial up funky plays all game and had Atlanta’s defense on their heels the whole time. In a game where the Atlanta Falcons couldn’t get comfortable on the defensive side of the ball, Kansas City was able to continue putting points on the board early.

Let’s get one thing straight – Matt Ryan was not the reason for this loss. Sure, he had a couple of interceptions to Eric Berry that would’ve made any fan want to throw things at their TV screen, but he played a great game. These interceptions were crucial but they were in moments that Ryan maybe shouldn’t have been forced into. Both two point conversion attempts were questionable at the time and trying to force passes at the 37 yard line with time expiring didn’t seem smart. Sure, Ryan has to be smarter in those situations and find open guys, but this loss isn’t on him. Special teams and defensive blunders cost Atlanta the game and it’s just not easy to win when those units give up as many points as the Falcons do.